Monday, November 11, 2013 1:08:30 PM America/Chicago

Supplements help provide nutrients to your body that you may not otherwise be getting from the variety of foods you consume. These days, most adults seem to take a supplement every day or at least occasionally, ranging from vitamins to herbs. Common supplements include energy bars, fish oils, and minerals like calcium and iron.

First, ask yourself this: “How will I potentially benefit from taking this supplement?” It’s best to consult a health care professional to get their opinion on whether or not you, in particular, should take a certain supplement. They should know more than you do about the benefits and the risks since they deal with supplement questions all the time.

Next, consider the following: What’s the proper dosage? How do I take this—in pill form, in liquid form, etc.? When should I take it--morning and night? Should it be taken on an empty stomach? And for how long a time period should I be “on” it? Is this something I should take daily for the rest of my life, or just something I should use during a certain time frame or season?

Now most of you think you can figure out what’s best for yourself when it comes to using supplements. However, the truly smart ones know that unforeseen circumstances can arise, making it necessary to do your research. For example, some may interact well with other medications you are taking; however, some may not. That said, at least consider talking to a pharmacist, registered dietician, your doctor or a supplement representative—a real person in real life—so you can make a well-informed decision before putting certain supplements in your body.

Sante Global makes a supplement called “Arginine Infusion,” which many people have found to help restore blood flow through the entire body, restoring healthy oxygen levels to all organs. The “heart health drink” is a supplement you might consider—ask a health care professional about it, and see what they say. It might be right for you.